Muse are dreadful. As “important” a band as Papa Roach. The fact that people point to them as evidence that proper rock music isn’t dead, tells you just how dead it is.
Pumpkins are one of the greatest bands ever.
So no.
I do agree that Pumpkins and Muse share the same trait of sounding deep and meaningful and important, until you listen to the lyrics and realise they mean absolutely nothing.
The difference is that the Pumpkins’ meaningless lyrics are backed by Billy’s voice and Jimmy’s drumming, whereas Muse are backed by a 36-piece orchestra and no bass line. It’s like they’ve gone straight to the post-rehab overproduced “concept album” stage all dying bands go through, without ever having released the short snappy genius first album to justify the later crap.
Did you know, and I haven’t verified this but read it on Popb1tch, that apparently the bassist in the Pumpkins is the girl on the left on the cover of Siamese Dreams? Surely not…
http://www.nme.com/news/smashing-pumpkins/55047